Word Origin & History

touch late 13c., from O.Fr. touchier "to touch, hit, knock" (11c.), from V.L. *toccare "to knock, strike" as a bell (cf. Sp. tocar, It. toccare), perhaps of imitative origin. Meaning "to get or borrow money" first recorded 1760. Touched "stirred emotionally" is from mid-14c.; touching "affecting the emotions" is from 1601. Touch and go (adj.) is recorded from 1812, apparently from the name of a tag-like game, first recorded 1655. Touch football is first attested 1933. Touch-me-not (1590s) translates L. noli-me-tangere.